Hi All,

I was wondering if someone can explain to me how a thermostat in an
electric hot water heater works.

This is a Rheem hot water heater, it has two heating elements. I'm
trying to determine of the thermostat is working right. I get 240
volts to the upper element, but at the lower element and at the
terminals of the thermostat to the lower element I get zero voltage. I
had assumed that they would both be on as long as the water needed
heated?

I have just replaced both of the elements, one was bad as it had zero
resistance, the other I just figured I'd replace. Since I now have the
tank full of water again, I checked the voltage to the elements as
described above. I'm not getting voltage to the lower element or the
lower thermostat for that matter.

When the water in the tank is cold shouldn't I see voltage to both
elements?

Thanks,
Brian

wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I was wondering if someone can explain to me how a thermostat in an
electric hot water heater works.

This is a Rheem hot water heater, it has two heating elements. I'm
trying to determine of the thermostat is working right. I get 240
volts to the upper element, but at the lower element and at the
terminals of the thermostat to the lower element I get zero voltage. I
had assumed that they would both be on as long as the water needed
heated?

I have just replaced both of the elements, one was bad as it had zero
resistance, the other I just figured I'd replace. Since I now have the
tank full of water again, I checked the voltage to the elements as
described above. I'm not getting voltage to the lower element or the
lower thermostat for that matter.

When the water in the tank is cold shouldn't I see voltage to both
elements?

Thanks,
Brian

Typically, one leg of the 240 volts, goes to one terminal of both the upper
and lower elements. The second leg of the 240 volts goes to the upper
thermostat. When the water is cold, it will send power to the upper element
only. Once the upper thermostat is satisfied, it will disconnect power from
the upper element, and send it to the lower thermostat, which in turn will
send it to the lower element, until it's satisfied, or heavy water usage
causes the upper thermostat to send power back to the upper element. Only
one element will heat at a time.

On May 2, 6:59�pm, "RBM" wrote:
wrote in message

...





Hi All,

I was wondering if someone can explain to me how a thermostat in an
electric hot water heater works.

This is a Rheem hot water heater, it has two heating elements. I'm
trying to determine of the thermostat is working right. I get 240
volts to the upper element, but at the lower element and at the
terminals of the thermostat to the lower element I get zero voltage. I
had assumed that they would both be on as long as the water needed
heated?

I have just replaced both of the elements, one was bad as it had zero
resistance, the other I just figured I'd replace. Since I now have the
tank full of water again, I checked the voltage to the elements as
described above. I'm not getting voltage to the lower element or the
lower thermostat for that matter.

When the water in the tank is cold shouldn't I see voltage to both
elements?

Thanks,
Brian

Typically, one leg of the 240 volts, goes to one terminal of both the upper
and lower elements. The second leg of the 240 volts goes to the upper
thermostat. When the water is cold, it will send power to the upper element
only. Once the upper thermostat is satisfied, it will disconnect power from
the upper element, and send it to the lower thermostat, which in turn will
send it to the lower element, until it's satisfied, or heavy water usage
causes the upper thermostat to send power back to the upper element. Only
one element will heat at a time.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

does any maker sell a dual heat at same time? with a 200 amp main both
could probabl;y run at same time.

this would give a big capacity boost

wrote in message
...
On May 2, 6:59?pm, "RBM" wrote:
wrote in message

...





Hi All,

I was wondering if someone can explain to me how a thermostat in an
electric hot water heater works.

This is a Rheem hot water heater, it has two heating elements. I'm
trying to determine of the thermostat is working right. I get 240
volts to the upper element, but at the lower element and at the
terminals of the thermostat to the lower element I get zero voltage. I
had assumed that they would both be on as long as the water needed
heated?

I have just replaced both of the elements, one was bad as it had zero
resistance, the other I just figured I'd replace. Since I now have the
tank full of water again, I checked the voltage to the elements as
described above. I'm not getting voltage to the lower element or the
lower thermostat for that matter.

When the water in the tank is cold shouldn't I see voltage to both
elements?

Thanks,
Brian

Typically, one leg of the 240 volts, goes to one terminal of both the
upper
and lower elements. The second leg of the 240 volts goes to the upper
thermostat. When the water is cold, it will send power to the upper
element
only. Once the upper thermostat is satisfied, it will disconnect power
from
the upper element, and send it to the lower thermostat, which in turn will
send it to the lower element, until it's satisfied, or heavy water usage
causes the upper thermostat to send power back to the upper element. Only
one element will heat at a time.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

does any maker sell a dual heat at same time? with a 200 amp main both
could probabl;y run at same time.

this would give a big capacity boost

It would only require a 50 amp circuit, for typical 4500 watts X 2 elements.
Yes, you can get commercial units with whatever wattage requirements you
have

I was wondering if someone can explain to me how a thermostat in an
electric hot water heater works.

This is a Rheem hot water heater, it has two heating elements. I'm
trying to determine of the thermostat is working right. I get 240
volts to the upper element, but at the lower element and at the
terminals of the thermostat to the lower element I get zero voltage. I
had assumed that they would both be on as long as the water needed
heated?

I have just replaced both of the elements, one was bad as it had zero
resistance, the other I just figured I'd replace. Since I now have the
tank full of water again, I checked the voltage to the elements as
described above. I'm not getting voltage to the lower element or the
lower thermostat for that matter.

When the water in the tank is cold shouldn't I see voltage to both
elements?

Thanks,
Brian

Typically, one leg of the 240 volts, goes to one terminal of both the
upper
and lower elements. The second leg of the 240 volts goes to the upper
thermostat. When the water is cold, it will send power to the upper
element
only. Once the upper thermostat is satisfied, it will disconnect power
from
the upper element, and send it to the lower thermostat, which in turn will
send it to the lower element, until it's satisfied, or heavy water usage
causes the upper thermostat to send power back to the upper element. Only
one element will heat at a time.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

does any maker sell a dual heat at same time? with a 200 amp main both
could probabl;y run at same time.

this would give a big capacity boost



*Shouldn't you be worrying about basic survival needs now that the end is
near. Hot water would only be a memory.

"John Grabowski" wrote in message
...
I was wondering if someone can explain to me how a thermostat in an
electric hot water heater works.

This is a Rheem hot water heater, it has two heating elements. I'm
trying to determine of the thermostat is working right. I get 240
volts to the upper element, but at the lower element and at the
terminals of the thermostat to the lower element I get zero voltage. I
had assumed that they would both be on as long as the water needed
heated?

I have just replaced both of the elements, one was bad as it had zero
resistance, the other I just figured I'd replace. Since I now have the
tank full of water again, I checked the voltage to the elements as
described above. I'm not getting voltage to the lower element or the
lower thermostat for that matter.

When the water in the tank is cold shouldn't I see voltage to both
elements?

Thanks,
Brian

Typically, one leg of the 240 volts, goes to one terminal of both the
upper
and lower elements. The second leg of the 240 volts goes to the upper
thermostat. When the water is cold, it will send power to the upper
element
only. Once the upper thermostat is satisfied, it will disconnect power
from
the upper element, and send it to the lower thermostat, which in turn
will
send it to the lower element, until it's satisfied, or heavy water usage
causes the upper thermostat to send power back to the upper element. Only
one element will heat at a time.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

does any maker sell a dual heat at same time? with a 200 amp main both
could probabl;y run at same time.

this would give a big capacity boost



*Shouldn't you be worrying about basic survival needs now that the end is
near. Hot water would only be a memory.

John......SO your the guy I saw on the street last week with the sign saying
"The End is NEAR" (g) ww

On May 2, 5:59*pm, "RBM" wrote:
wrote in message

...





Hi All,

I was wondering if someone can explain to me how a thermostat in an
electric hot water heater works.

This is a Rheem hot water heater, it has two heating elements. I'm
trying to determine of the thermostat is working right. I get 240
volts to the upper element, but at the lower element and at the
terminals of the thermostat to the lower element I get zero voltage. I
had assumed that they would both be on as long as the water needed
heated?

I have just replaced both of the elements, one was bad as it had zero
resistance, the other I just figured I'd replace. Since I now have the
tank full of water again, I checked the voltage to the elements as
described above. I'm not getting voltage to the lower element or the
lower thermostat for that matter.

When the water in the tank is cold shouldn't I see voltage to both
elements?

Thanks,
Brian

Typically, one leg of the 240 volts, goes to one terminal of both the upper
and lower elements. The second leg of the 240 volts goes to the upper
thermostat. When the water is cold, it will send power to the upper element
only. Once the upper thermostat is satisfied, it will disconnect power from
the upper element, and send it to the lower thermostat, which in turn will
send it to the lower element, until it's satisfied, or heavy water usage
causes the upper thermostat to send power back to the upper element. Only
one element will heat at a time.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for the explanation. It is working as you describe, so all
should be well there.

The water temperature and the duration of the heated water all seem
good now.

Thanks,
Brian

" I was wondering if someone can explain to me how a thermostat in an
electric hot water heater works.

This is a Rheem hot water heater, it has two heating elements. I'm
trying to determine of the thermostat is working right. I get 240
volts to the upper element, but at the lower element and at the
terminals of the thermostat to the lower element I get zero voltage. I
had assumed that they would both be on as long as the water needed
heated?

I have just replaced both of the elements, one was bad as it had zero
resistance, the other I just figured I'd replace. Since I now have the
tank full of water again, I checked the voltage to the elements as
described above. I'm not getting voltage to the lower element or the
lower thermostat for that matter.

When the water in the tank is cold shouldn't I see voltage to both
elements?

Thanks,
Brian

Typically, one leg of the 240 volts, goes to one terminal of both the
upper
and lower elements. The second leg of the 240 volts goes to the upper
thermostat. When the water is cold, it will send power to the upper
element
only. Once the upper thermostat is satisfied, it will disconnect power
from
the upper element, and send it to the lower thermostat, which in turn
will
send it to the lower element, until it's satisfied, or heavy water usage
causes the upper thermostat to send power back to the upper element.
Only
one element will heat at a time.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

does any maker sell a dual heat at same time? with a 200 amp main both
could probabl;y run at same time.

this would give a big capacity boost



*Shouldn't you be worrying about basic survival needs now that the end is
near. Hot water would only be a memory.

John......SO your the guy I saw on the street last week with the sign
saying "The End is NEAR" (g) ww


*Thanks for the thought WW, but I was being sarcastic in response to Bob's
doomsday posting about the gulf oil spill. I think the end is coming, but
we still have time to enjoy life.

Of course, you could convert to an instant heater. Should
help with the capacity boost.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


wrote in message
...

does any maker sell a dual heat at same time? with a 200 amp
main both
could probabl;y run at same time.

this would give a big capacity boost

Buy more Bibles, and silver bullets?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"John Grabowski"
wrote in message ...

*Shouldn't you be worrying about basic survival needs now
that the end is
near. Hot water would only be a memory.

Guy standing at the side of a road, along a curve. Sign says
"the end is near". Couple folks come along, at a rapid rate,
and curse out the relgious whacko. They go flying around the
curve at incredible speed, and then tumble into a ravine.

Guy at the side of the road says to himself, muttering
"Wonder if I should have written instead.... 'BRIDGE OUT' ?
"

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"WW" wrote in message
. ..

John......SO your the guy I saw on the street last week with
the sign saying
"The End is NEAR" (g) ww

You people disappoint me. I havn't yet read the obligatory
crack about "why do you have to heat hot water?"

After the GWB increase of freedom known as the Patriot Act
(which means it's patriotic to remove most of the
protections citizens have from government). And then the
Obama Stimulus (which means that the economy gets better
after the government spends money it doesn't have). Why
would anyone think we're in trouble?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"John Grabowski"
wrote in message ...

*Thanks for the thought WW, but I was being sarcastic in
response to Bob's
doomsday posting about the gulf oil spill. I think the end
is coming, but
we still have time to enjoy life.

I was told this once, by a plumber, "There is no need to heat "hot"
water!". I said it before someone else!

bob

On May 3, 7:34*am, Bob Villa wrote:
I was told this once, by a plumber, "There is no need to heat "hot"
water!". *I said it before someone else!

bob

There you go Mormie!

You have restored my confidence in mankind. Excellent.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Bob Villa" wrote in message
...
On May 3, 7:34 am, Bob Villa wrote:
I was told this once, by a plumber, "There is no need to
heat "hot"
water!". I said it before someone else!

bob

There you go Mormie!

On May 3, 8:26�am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
Of course, you could convert to an instant heater. Should
help with the capacity boost.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
�www.lds.org
.

wrote in message

...

does any maker sell a dual heat at same time? with a 200 amp
main both
could probabl;y run at same time.

this would give a big capacity boost

yeah sure, convert to a electric tankless, dedicated 200 amp service
JUST for heating water.

getting 2 new main panels, new service line from power company,
perhaps a new transformer in neighborhood. and no hot watewr at all in
a power failure. thanks I will pass on that!

besides I have gas water heater 75,000 BTU 50 gallon tank.

I only asked about this out of curosity, since family in phoenix have
electric water heaters.

Stormin Mormon wrote:
Guy standing at the side of a road, along a curve. Sign says
"the end is near". Couple folks come along, at a rapid rate,
and curse out the relgious whacko. They go flying around the
curve at incredible speed, and then tumble into a ravine.

Guy at the side of the road says to himself, muttering
"Wonder if I should have written instead.... 'BRIDGE OUT' ?
"


I read a story about a guy driving through a rural area when
he saw a sign that read "SLOW DOWN ROUGH ROAD AHEAD", he thought
to himself, I have good tires and shocks what's to worry about.
Suddenly, he hit a patch of road best described as the washboard
from hell, when the road smoothed out he saw another sign that
read "SEE".

TDD

The one time I got asked to help install an electric
instant. It was 240 volts, 30 amps. I'm not sure what was
the rate of rise, but who knows. 30 amps is still useful.

http://www.tanklesswaterheatersdirec...rtelectric.asp

This one lists whole-house capacity at 80 amps.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


wrote in message
...


besides I have gas water heater 75,000 BTU 50 gallon tank.

I only asked about this out of curosity, since family in
phoenix have
electric water heaters.